Codes

adamRn79, BSN, RN · Nov 20, 2013

Im new, I've had 2 codes for deteriorating status, not arrest. I find the keys to be: call for help, send for the cart, know your pts meds and med hx for when the team comes.

Anna Flaxis, BSN, RN · Nov 20, 2013

High quality CPR and early defibrillation are always your first priority. Get on that chest and get the defibrillator in the room.

SwansonRN · Nov 20, 2013

I was on orientation when my patient went into v fib arrest. My preceptor, charge nurse, attending, and a few other nurses were in the room already when he flipped. I'm being 100% honest my first instinct was to walk away!! In my mind I was thinking "Alright it's time to let the adults save the day I will get out of the way." I obviously wasn't thinking clearly lol. I wound up helping with compressions.

I've learned that everyone has their role in a code and they're all important; whether it's checking a finger stick or pushing epi. It's all about working together.

PrettyLady87 · Nov 20, 2013

I must admit that my greatest fear is having a patient code on me as well. I just passed my NCLEX a week ago, and I will begin training as a Dialysis Nurse in 2 weeks! Im excited and scared at the same time!

nursecait · Nov 21, 2013

I'm a new grad and I work in the ICU. I had my first code today and honestly it wasn't as scary as I thought it would be. It was organized chaos and everyone had their own jobs to do. There were about 15 people in the room between doctors, nurses, respiratory therapy, and the nursing supervisor. You're never alone in a code situation, always call for help. just try to think, the worst has happened already, now you have to fix it.

Nola009 · Nov 21, 2013

I was on orientation when my patient went into v fib arrest. My preceptor, charge nurse, attending, and a few other nurses were in the room already when he flipped. I'm being 100% honest my first instinct was to walk away!! In my mind I was thinking "Alright it's time to let the adults save the day I will get out of the way." I obviously wasn't thinking clearly lol. I wound up helping with compressions.
Lol, well we don't know if we'd not feel the same for our 1st code too! I'm worried about that day. I already probably spend too much time thinking about scenarios and imagining how I'll *actually* handle it. I did witness one as a student and was surprized at how calm I was, though. The patient was 20 minutes post-open heart op and so, maybe I wasn't allowed. The team was working on the pt. when I arrived (3 of us students were told to 'go and watch') Unfortunately, the man didn't make it through. I will never forget it and still think about that patient, hoping he made it to the 'other side' okay, eventhough I never saw him in an awake state.

Nola009 · Nov 21, 2013

quote from [COLOR=#003366]nursecait "just try to think, the worst has happened already, now you have to fix it."

I like that advice:) Now tell me how you got to be so lucky as to be a new grad working in the ICU pleeease, lol:)

nursecait · Nov 22, 2013

I did my Clinicals on the unit and everyone remembered me! Also my clinical instructor works as an RN there as do two people I graduated with. I had a lot of people pulling for me and I was VERY persistent :)